Simply Infused Ice Cubes

Monday

Aug 4, 2014 at 12:01 AMAug 4, 2014 at 10:26 PM

These perfect-for-summer ice cubes will dress up any beverage.

These Simply Infused Ice Cubes kick up the fancy and sexy on ordinary cubes-of-ice to chill your summer beverages down. They’re perfect for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, girls night in, or to make any gathering feel extra special. The concept is simple, add in your favorite herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc. and freeze into a cube, circle, or other fun shape!
[caption id="attachment_331695" align="alignnone" width="493"] McKel Hill[/caption]
Infused Ice Cube Ingredients Ideas
Fruit (juiced or pureed):
Citrus: grapefruit, lemon, Meyer lemon, key lime, lime, blood orange, orange, tangerines
Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries
Tropical: pear, pomegranate, mango, pineapple, banana, kiwi, starfruit
Melons: honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon
Other: apples, grapes, plums, peaches, nectarines, lychee
Vegetables: cucumber, carrot juice, beet juice, celery, tomato (good for Bloody Mary’s, if you’re into that sort of thing)
Herbs: mint, sage, rosemary, basil, cilantro, thyme, stevia, lavender
Spices: ginger, cinnamon stick, black pepper, cayenne (goes well with lemon and ginger!)
Other : coconut water, rose hips, matcha tea, coffee/espresso
[caption id="attachment_331697" align="alignnone" width="493"] McKel Hill[/caption]
What to do
Fruits and vegetables:
When using fruit or vegetables, simply juice, chop, dice, OR puree in a high speed blender (Vitamix).
Pour juice/puree into an ice cube tray. Freeze.
Add the Infused Ice Cubes into your water and enjoy the subtle release of flavors from the ice cubes!
Herbs, spices, and other:
Chop and finely “bruise” the herb leaves. Bruising is simply a breaking down the herb to release the essential oils.
Place chopped herbs/spices into an ice cube tray and cover with filtered water. Freeze.
Add the Infused Ice Cubes into your water and enjoy the subtle release of flavors from the ice cubes!
[caption id="attachment_331698" align="alignnone" width="493"] McKel Hill[/caption]
Tips
These can be used in normal filtered water or alcoholic drinks for a festive flare.
After freezing, you can pop them out of the ice cube molds and simply store in a large freezer Ziploc bag for future use.
Serve in a beautiful clear pitcher or clear serving jug of filtered water or other beverage to showcase the Simply Infused Ice Cubes.
Serve in a simple mason jar or clear glass.
Fill ice cubes with vibrant and colorful ingredients to make drinking water more enjoyable and “fun” for children.
HAVE FUN with these. If there is an ingredient in a beverage you already use to make the drink (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) think of adding it into an ice cube to help chill it down while simultaneously adding the said ingredient.
[caption id="attachment_331699" align="alignnone" width="493"] McKel Hill[/caption]
McKel Hill, MS, RD, LDN is the creator of Nutrition Stripped, a plant-based, whole foods and gluten-free food blog specializing in nourishing recipes and nutrition services. You can keep up with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
This article has been posted with permission and originally appeared as Simply Infused Ice Cubes on Nutrition Stripped.
This article originally appeared as on Relish